Ailing Sulcata

Question
Hi,
My 6 month old (app. 3") sulcata,Pork Chop, has been showing some odd behavior.  It started about two months ago.  He makes clicking sounds, sometimes breathes with a rasp, and bobs his head all the time as if he has a nerve twitch.  
I took him to the vet twice--of course he didn't show any signs when I was at the vet and wouldn't even come out of his shell for him--but since I was so insistent, the vet put him on a course of 10 day antibiotic injections that ended on November 17th.
I've increased his tank temp from the 80's to the 90's and soak him for 1/2 hour every day to every other day.  He's a little sluggish, but he's on a steady diet of greens and hibiscus with vitamin and calcium powder--luckily his appetite has not diminished.  
However, even after all of this, he still doesn't seem any better.  He doesn't seem worse either, just the same.  
The vet said torts have slow metabolisms; so they get sick slowly and they get better slowly.
Any hints or ideas-I've heard of putting eucalyptus oil in the tank might help?  Maybe another round of shots?  Or maybe just wait it out?

Thanks,
Selena

Answer
Quite honestly, I don't think there is a problem other than the things you are doing are probably stressing him. For example-
- Antibiotics for no good reason is a risky treatment that can mess up the tortoise's digestive tract.
- Frequent soaks are stressful and not usually recommended unless it is dehydrated (sunken or teary eyes, flaky skin, light body weight, etc.)
- Too much calcium, too much heat, etc., etc., etc. can stress the poor guy out as well.

Head bobbing is a breathing technique they use along with sagging their body in and out of the shell. Head bobbing also helps them smell things.
Clicks are an annoying symptom- most tortoises do it at some time, but it rarely seems to be be anything significant. Occasional rasps while breathing may be a touch of dehydration, a dusty habitat, etc.

If there are no deposits around the nose, the eyes are clear and shiny, etc., then there is probably nothing to worry about.

You can chat with other Sulcata keepers at http://www.tortoiseforum.org and learn about their care at http://www.sulcata-station.org

Good luck!